Small Area Gameshttp://usahockeymagazine.com/taxonomy/term/842/all
enDisguising Skill Development In Fun Games An Effective Tool For Miteshttp://usahockeymagazine.com/article/2013-09/disguising-skill-development-fun-games-effective-tool-mites
<div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-author-ref">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<div class="field-label-inline-first">
By:&nbsp;</div>
<a href="/author/guy-gosselin">Guy Gosselin</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-article-content">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<p>When I was growing up in Rochester, Minn., we had six outdoor community rinks within two miles of my house. Depending on the weather conditions, we would play various types of games. Even as a little guy, I was always honored if the big kids let me play, but that usually meant I was the goalie.<br />We seem to have lost some of that freewheeling fun with today&rsquo;s overly-structured environment.</p>
<p>That&rsquo;s why the American Development Model is so important.</p>
<p>Too often, kids show up at the rink and are immediately told what to do and how to do it. Such a structured environment is like throwing a wet blanket over the creativity of our players.</p>
<p>Kids are already overly stimulated enough with all the things going on in their lives away from the rink. Once they step onto the ice, that is their time to have fun.</p>
<p>Here are a few games that will help kids develop their skills while having a lot of fun.</p>
<p><span class="inline inline-none"><img src="http://usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/SG1.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-_original " width="525" height="188" /></span></p>
<h3>Race Cars</h3>
<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> This fun game works on the ABCs (Agility, Balance, Coordination and Speed) of physical literacy, in addition to body contact, on-ice awareness and change of direction.<br /><strong>Set Up:</strong> Block off a section of the ice with dividers, then place several small dividers or other barriers such as cones or tires in the middle to create an oval. <br /><strong>Game:</strong> When the coach says &ldquo;Go,&rdquo; these little race cars start skating clockwise around the track against other skaters, making sure to keep their heads up to avoid crashing.<br /> Switch things up and have them race counter clockwise.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3></h3>
<h3></h3>
<h3>Tire Push Game</h3>
<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> This fun game works on skating stride, knee bend, keeping your head up, communication and competitiveness.<br /><strong>Set Up:</strong> Players split into two teams and line up at opposite ends of the zone. Each team starts with a tire. A coach stands in middle with an extra tire or two.<br /><strong>Game:</strong> On the signal, two players from each team turn their sticks over and push the tire toward the opposite end of the zone. One &ldquo;defender&rdquo; from each side skates out to meet them and provide resistance. Teams score a point when they push their tire to the opposite end of the zone. When a goal is scored, coach drops the tire back at center ice.</p>
<p><span class="inline inline-none"><img src="http://usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/SG2.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-_original " width="525" height="268" /></span></p>
<h3>Obstacle Course</h3>
<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Promotes the ABCs (Agility, Balance, Coordination and Speed) of physical literacy, along with having a lot of fun.<br /><strong>Set Up:</strong> Create an obstacle course in your section of the ice during a station-based practice. You can get as detailed or as basic as you want, depending on the types of obstacles you have available.<br /><strong>Game: </strong>I like to use a couple of small dividers to create a starting gate and have the kids go racing out of the gate. Along the course, we set up cones with a stick on top that kids slide under (keep a coach or helper close by to rearrange the cones and stick when someone blows it up), tires or cones to do a 360 around, barriers to jump over, etc. Use your imagination to create a fun obstacle course that will challenge young skaters&rsquo; abilities while having fun.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Red Puck, Green Puck</h3>
<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> This simple game works on stops and starts and on-ice awareness.<br /><strong>Set Up:</strong> Kids line up against the boards with a coach facing them a few feet away.<br /><strong>Game:</strong> The coach has a red puck and a green puck in each hand behind his back. Players get in the ready position, and on the signal, the coach will present a green puck and the players start skating. Then the coach will hold out the red puck, which indicates the players need to stop.<br />Variables: This game may not look like much, but kids love it and are working on basic skating skills while they&rsquo;re having fun.</p>
<p>&raquo; The ADM is all about getting kids moving and having fun. The best way to do that is with stationed-based practices that stress a lot of activity. Coaches don&rsquo;t need to get too technical. Create a practice that features a variety of fun games and you&rsquo;ll be amazed how quickly kids will not only develop basic skills but also a passion for the game.</p>
<div class="image-clear"></div> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-issue-ref">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<div class="field-label-inline-first">
Issue:&nbsp;</div>
<a href="/issue/2013-09">2013-09</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
http://usahockeymagazine.com/article/2013-09/disguising-skill-development-fun-games-effective-tool-mites#commentsdevelopmentdrillsskillsSmall Area GamesSmall Area GamesThu, 05 Sep 2013 16:42:14 +0000admin9107 at http://usahockeymagazine.comDeveloping Hockey Sense In A Fun And Competitive Environmenthttp://usahockeymagazine.com/article/developing-hockey-sense-fun-and-competitive-environment
<div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-author-ref">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<div class="field-label-inline-first">
By:&nbsp;</div>
<a href="/author/roger-grillo">Roger Grillo</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-article-content">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<p>Developing hockey sense is as important as learning how to skate or stickhandle. Taking a large percentage of your practice time to create an environment that puts your players in situations where they have to make good, sound hockey decisions over and over again is the only way to allow the critical skill of decision making to take place.</p>
<p>Here are several small area games that will help players &ldquo;train the brain&rdquo; in a fun and competitive environment.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Team knockout<span class="inline inline-right"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/ADMknockout.img_assist_custom-280x227.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-img_assist_custom-280x227 " width="280" height="227" /></span></h3>
<p><strong>Age Level:</strong> For players of all ages<br /><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> Focuses on stick handling, puck possession, body contact and keeping your head up while controlling the puck.<br /><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Game:</strong> Split your group into two teams and have them play in a designated area. The fewer the players per team the smaller the area.</p>
<p>One team has pucks, the other does not. On the whistle the non-puck carrying team must take the pucks away from players on the team and put the pucks over a line or in a net.</p>
<p>The coach counts to see how long it takes the non-puck carrying team to remove all the pucks from the puck carrying team. The roles are then reversed and time is kept again. The team with the quickest time wins the game.</p>
<p>The goal is to keep control of your puck as long as you can. Once your puck is lost you must help your teammates by supporting and passing.</p>
<h3><span class="inline inline-none"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/ADMbreakout.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-_original " width="525" height="421" /></span></h3>
<h3>Breakout Vs. Forecheck Game</h3>
<p><strong>Age Level: </strong>For Squirts and up <br /><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> This game works on breakouts, transition, man-on-man defensive concepts, puck possession and support and play off the puck. With the progression you can add a forechecking concept.<br /><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Game:</strong> Split your group into two teams. Also split the zone into defensive and offensive halves.<br />Throw a puck into play and on every transition in the defensive half the two offensive players must go back across the center line and the two defenders must make at least one pass in their half before they can attack the offensive zone. This forces the defenders to make a good breakout play without pressure in order to create a scoring chance.</p>
<p>On every transition the defenders must make at least one pass and the offensive players must retreat to their half to wait for the attack of the opposing two players.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Progression:</strong> After the players understand the concept of the game and the purpose of a good breakout, allow one of the two original offensive players to stay in their offensive half and forecheck the puck. This will force the two defenders to support and execute a clean breakout play. If they do it well they should get an odd-man rush into the offensive half. If the forechecking player gains control then his teammate can come back into the offensive half for support.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>1v1/2v1 Possession Low Game<span class="inline inline-right"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/ADM1v1.img_assist_custom-280x217.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-img_assist_custom-280x217 " width="280" height="217" /></span></h3>
<p><strong>Ages:</strong> For Squirts and up<br /><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> This game works on puck possession, body contact, communication, support, defensive concepts and transition from 1-on-1 to 2-on-1, and offensive concepts of cycling and getting to the net front.<br /><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Game:</strong> Form two lines. The first player in the line on one side of the coach is on offense and the first player from the other line is on defense. The coach lets the 1-on-1 play out for about 5 seconds. If the offensive player has done a good job of puck possession the coach sends in the second player from the offensive line and they now play 2-on-1 trying to work the puck to the net for a scoring chance.</p>
<p>Let this play out until a goal is scored or the defender gets the puck to the coach or about 20 seconds.</p>
<p>If it goes the 20 seconds then the coach blows the whistle and the three players that are in the drill sprint to the near blue line and the coach starts over by putting the puck in the other corner and playing 1-on-1 to 2-on-1.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h6><em>ILLUSTRATIONS by Mike Curti</em><br /></h6>
<div class="image-clear"></div> </div>
</div>
</div>
http://usahockeymagazine.com/article/developing-hockey-sense-fun-and-competitive-environment#commentsadmdeveloping playerspracticeSmall Area GamesFeatureFri, 02 Nov 2012 15:23:07 +0000admin7583 at http://usahockeymagazine.comSmall Area Gameshttp://usahockeymagazine.com/article/small-area-games
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-article-subhead">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Mite Players Can Have Fun While Working On Fundamentals </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-author-ref">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<div class="field-label-inline-first">
By:&nbsp;</div>
<a href="/node/99">USA Hockey Magazine</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-article-content">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<p>Small area games are excellent teachers because they allow players of all ages and skill levels to work on their basic skills in confined spaces and competitive situations. By using small areas and short shifts, players are challenged to read and react quickly under pressure, and by doing so they learn to think and see the ice better. They also encourage players to battle hard for the puck while at the same time have a great deal of fun.</p>
<p>In this edition, we are focusing on small area games designed to work on basic balance, agility, skating and puck-handling skills of Mite-aged players.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Musical Pucks</h3>
<p><strong>Purpose: </strong><em>Teaches players to crossover with their heads up</em><br />Using one or two circles (depending on the number of players) players line up without sticks around the circle. Players skate clockwise around the circle staying on the line as they crossover. If there are five players place four pucks in the middle. On the coach&rsquo;s signal, players dive in the middle to get a puck. If they don&rsquo;t get one they are eliminated. Reduce the number of pucks each round. The game is over when only one player is left.</p>
<p><span class="inline inline-none"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/MusicalPucks.img_assist_custom-430x331.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-img_assist_custom-430x331 " width="430" height="331" /></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Red Light, Green Light, Yellow Light, Blue Light</h3>
<p><strong>Purpose:</strong><em> Teaches stopping and agility while having fun</em><span class="inline inline-right"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/RedLight.img_assist_custom-240x182.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-img_assist_custom-240x182 " width="239" height="182" /></span><br />Using one third of the rink, all players start against the boards. The coach starts out between the face-off circles. The coach commands are: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Green Light</span> &ndash; skate forward<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Red Light </span>&ndash; stop<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Yellow Light</span> &ndash; fall down on their stomachs and get up quickly<br /><em>Blue Light</em> &ndash; yell &ldquo;hockey&rdquo; or their team name.</p>
<p>A new game starts when all the players have made it to the other side.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Sharks and Minnows</h3>
<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> <em>Teaches puck handling under pressure<br /></em>The Minnows line up across the boards with pucks, while the Shark begins in the middle. Minnows skate from dot to dot with their puck. If the Shark takes or knocks the puck from their stick, they too become a Shark and help check the remaining Minnows. The Minnows are safe from the dots to the boards as shown. The game is over when every player has their puck knocked off of his or her stick.</p>
<p><span class="inline inline-none"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/SharksMinnows.img_assist_custom-351x269.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-img_assist_custom-351x269 " width="350" height="269" /></span></p>
<h3></h3>
<h3></h3>
<h3>Chaos Drill<span class="inline inline-right"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/ChaosDrill.img_assist_custom-180x327.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-img_assist_custom-180x327 " width="180" height="327" /></span></h3>
<p><strong>Purpose:</strong> <em>Emphasizes the importance of quick skating and puckhandling in a confined area</em><br />Divide the players into two groups. Players begin the drill in a face-off circle, each with a puck. The players can skate in any direction, keeping their heads up and staying inside the circle. After a few minutes, place all the players in one circle and repeat the drill.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>No matter what age group you&rsquo;re coaching, small area games are excellent training aids, and players love them because they get to compete in game-like situations while working on their skills.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h6><em>ILLUSTRATIONS by Mike Curti</em><br /></h6>
<div class="image-clear"></div> </div>
</div>
</div>
http://usahockeymagazine.com/article/small-area-games#commentsdrillsMitesSmall Area GamesFeatureMon, 08 Oct 2012 16:05:12 +0000admin7449 at http://usahockeymagazine.comSmall Area Games With A Twist Work On Vital Skillshttp://usahockeymagazine.com/article/2011-10/small-area-games-twist-work-vital-skills
<div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-author-ref">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<div class="field-label-inline-first">
By:&nbsp;</div>
<a href="/author/ken-martel">Ken Martel</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-article-content">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<p>Anyone familiar with American Development knows that we spend a considerable amount of time promoting the merits of small area games. As we embark on a new season, we will continue to encourage coaches registered with USA Hockey to incorporate small area games into every practice session. </p>
<p>These small area games are important development tools for our players because they stress the execution of hockey skills in a competitive environment that push players to react quickly in confined spaces.</p>
<p>When parents walk into the ice rink and watch their sons or daughters play the various small area games, some may have a puzzled look on their face as they wonder what any of it has to do with ice hockey. The answer can be found in the different types of small area games that coaches use in their practices. </p>
<p>While it would take a lengthy explanation to describe each category of games, I want to focus on two different games that have tremendous value in teaching vital skills that will transfer to game-like situations.</p>
<p>These are what we call applied games. They feature a basic hockey structure, but they force players to develop specific sets of hockey skills.</p>
<p><span class="inline inline-none"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/1110-bcheck-Backward-Drill.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-_original " width="525" height="364" /></span></p>
<h3>Backward Skating Game</h3>
<p>The first is the Backward Skating Game. Players compete 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 in a cross-ice environment. What separates this game from a normal cross-ice game is that all players must continually skate backward.</p>
<p>Obviously this is going to work on every player&rsquo;s backward skating skills. It also forces players to keep their heads on a swivel to continually look over their shoulders to maintain awareness of the play and their surroundings. </p>
<p>Teaching players to keep their heads on a swivel will allow them to survey the ice and be aware of what&rsquo;s going on around them. It&rsquo;s a vital skill that can be a challenge for any coach to teach. </p>
<p>Hidden in this game is a much more desirable element to hockey success. Skating backward with a puck will augment a player&rsquo;s willingness to use his or her backhand. <br />When playing hockey while skating forward, it&rsquo;s instinctively easier to use the forehand side of the stick blade. Conversely, when skating backward, players instinctively want to use the backhand side of the blade, which gives our players much needed practice using their backhand.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span class="inline inline-none"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/1110-bcheck-Soccer-Drill.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-_original " width="525" height="219" /></span></p>
<h3>Cross-Ice Soccer</h3>
<p>The second game is a version of Cross-Ice Soccer. </p>
<p>Teams play soccer cross-ice with the goal of every player maintaining possession of their own puck throughout the game. </p>
<p>Coaches are always trying to encourage young players to carry the puck with their heads up. However, you can tell a player to &lsquo;get your head up&rsquo; during a drill, and player will do it for a few seconds, but he or she will quickly revert back to having their heads down because what is most important to them is maintaining possession of the puck on their stick. </p>
<p>In our cross-ice soccer game, the players&rsquo; focus shifts from the puck on their stick to the soccer ball being kicked around the ice.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s important for coaches and parents to know that these types of games encourage players to work on important hockey skills in a fun and creative environment. These types of small area games are more effective than having a coach telling players how to perform a specific task. They teach and reinforce difficult skills to master by hiding them in a fun game that brings out the competitive nature in all players.</p>
<p>As our players improve their physical and cognitive skills, we will incorporate even more game situations into our small area games. </p>
<p>But that&rsquo;s a topic for another day.</p>
<p>Ken Martel is the director of USA Hockey&rsquo;s American Development Model.</p>
<div class="image-clear"></div> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-issue-ref">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<div class="field-label-inline-first">
Issue:&nbsp;</div>
<a href="/issue/2011-10">2011-10</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
http://usahockeymagazine.com/article/2011-10/small-area-games-twist-work-vital-skills#commentsadmAmerican Development ModelHockey PracticeSmall Area GamesBack CheckingMon, 10 Oct 2011 15:06:37 +0000admin5564 at http://usahockeymagazine.com